A recent study published in the journal Sleep found that adults who felt older than their chronological age were more likely to report insomnia symptoms, irregular sleep patterns, and daytime fatigue. The study involved over 3,100 adults who were asked to report how old they felt, and their answers were compared to measures of sleep quality, sleep consistency, and daytime functioning.

Findings and Implications

Researchers found that people who felt older than their actual age consistently reported poorer sleep and greater sleep-related impairment than those who felt younger or closer to their chronological age. Additionally, people who felt older than their age were more likely to report poorer physical health. According to Jonathan Alpert, a New York-based psychotherapist, the findings align with what he frequently sees in his practice, where poor sleep is often a major part of the picture for people who feel older than they are.

Alpert suggests that looking at sleep habits before assuming fatigue and low energy are simply consequences of getting older is essential. The study’s findings offer a reminder that fatigue should not automatically be blamed on getting older. While the findings were notable, there are several limitations to consider, including the reliance on self-reported survey responses and the observational design, which means the research cannot determine whether poor sleep influences how old a person feels or vice versa.

Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.